Back-up Pocket Pistol

N

Nifer

New member
Well, as you can tell by my screen name, I am a knife junkey... Lately I have been selling off chunks of my collection to afford a gun collection. I will be getting a CCW soon, and am looking for a good quality back-up pocket pistol.
I have looked at several differeny ones. I really like the Seecamp, but the pricing on those are getting downright silly. For the retail for $425, I would take it. But not for $600+ I am aslo looking at the Gaurdian .32 and the Kel Tec P32. What are the opinions on the quality of these guns. Are there any others worth looking at I should check out?

Oh yeah. Almost forgot the Beretta Tomcat


Thanks.

Jeremy Reynods
 
I know that this is the Auto form but you can't beat a J-frame Smith or a Taurus 85. for a back-up. I don't think I would feel real good about carrying a .32acp.
 
1911A1Fan.

I think I agree with you on that. I was talking with some other folks this evning about the same thing. Their reason behind this was: If you are going for your backup, then something has gone wrong. Your back up must be 100% reliable, no possibility of jamming or failure to feed. They told me they would refuse to carry any kind of backup other then a wheel gun. I am going to have to agree with them I guess, even though I am a diehard auto fan. I am taking a look at the Taurus total titanium revolvers now. Or possibly Ruger SP101. Thanks for the reply... Although I would still like a good pocket pistol as well, on light clothing days where anything bigger is just not an option.

Jeremy Reynolds
 
Nifer,
I use a Taurus titanium for a back up on duty in an ankle holster. Off duty I carry it in my pocket in a Uncle Mike's pocket holster. It disappears in my pocket and it is very light.
 
Beretta 950 25 auto is a good option. It's as reliable as the 92. A real classic and it's TINY. JMO.
 
I carry a Kel-Tec P32 - it's my "American Express" gun. I have complete faith in it...took it to the range, gave it a good break-in, and it's been completely reliable since the first trip (did have some rimlock issues, since resolved). It's lightweight, thin, and extremely easy to carry.
 
I've been carrying a Kel-Tec P32 for quite some time as a second gun (backing up either a G27 or G23) and have been very pleased with it. It is very light, easily concealed, and mine has been 100% reliable (so far).
 
I have both the Guardian and the P-32. The Guardian is, by far, the better made of the two and has a nicer trigger pull...at least comparing my samples. Partially due to the better trigger and possibly also the fixed barrel, my Guardian is also more accurate than the P-32. Neither pistol has malfed on me, yet. The Guardian is, I suspect, the more durable of the two. If you are going to depend on a pistol in a life or death situation, you need to shoot it enough to be confidant of its reliability and confidant of your ability to place shots where you want them. The Guardian will hold up better to a lot of practice shooting, IMO. The P-32 is so indifferently made, that I suspect it will self-destruct after a fairly limited amount of shooting. The KTOG board is full of anecdotes that confirm those suspicions, IMO. If you opt to go with either of these .32's, eschew hollow points. Their shorter OAL leads to rimlock problems and you want all the penetration you can get from a round as anemic as the .32. Go with FMJ stuff, or Sellier and Bellot soft points.
 
You can have a +p .380 round in a pistol about the size of a Beretta 950 or model 21 if you get a Colt Pony Pocketlite.

The most punch in the smallest package. About 13 oz. and very small. Pull it out, pull the trigger. Double action only, just like a revolver.
 
Let me second the wheel gun...

Look, I am a DIE-HARD Auto fan. Every SD gun I own is an automatic except one. My back-up pistol (I also take it backpacking).

Smith and Wesson make a phenomenal line of extremely lightweight pistols, their 342ti being one of the best.

This firearm weighs only 11.3 ounces, and is a 5shot .38special +P. Thats an amazing amount of power in a tiny, light-weight gun. In addition, the hammer is completely internal, meaning that the gun is truly idiot/murphy proof (as much as any gun can be). If its in your pocket, you can shoot through your pocket without the slide failing to cycle, or the hammer snagging or material blocking the firing pin.

Its a lot of firepower in a tiny, ultra-reliable package, and, best of all, they made them PRE-SELLOUT!!!! ;]

I really would like to hammer home the idea of a tiny revolver like this for a back-up gun. Who knows what kind of position/shape/struggle you will be in when you have to use it. Make sure it goes bang no matter where it is or how many fingers you have to use it with.

I love autos, but when it absolutely, positively, has to go bang no matter what, a DAO, internal hammer S&W is really unbeatable. ITs five shots of .38sp +P as compared to one shot of whatever else you might be shooting from an auto.

JT

as usual, IMHO, YMMV, FWIW, and all that...
 
Stopped by my local gun store today. Was looking at the small backup semi-autos. I really wasn't happy with any of them. I then went over to the revolver cases and started looking over some of the snubbys. I think I found the one I want. I think I am going to eventually end up owning a Tuarus .38spl Ultralite. The gun felt great in hand. It pointed extremely well. It was incredibly light, as not to be a burdon to carry. Now I just must find one with the concealed hammer.

Jeremy Reynolds
 
Hey Mo.

The gun store I looked at today had it for $305. They have some of the absolute best prices around. period. I don't even know if I can beat that at the gun show, but I will look. I will probably end up selling some more knives if I want to buy one, as I just purchased a new pet today. Baby Ball Python and the cage and stuff to keep him in. Back to the gun. It looks to be a great value. I have shot a Taurus .357 in stainless, but never one of the ultralites. I would love to test one out and see how it shoots. Mo, look forward to seeing you at the Tulsa show. Good luck in selling your blades for gun money :D

JR
 
I have to throw in my vote for a wheel gun. My Rossi M-88 rides on my left hip ready for a weak hand draw. You guys who don't practice weak hand are fooling yourself.
 
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